Federal Republic of Germany President Joachim Gauck bestowed on retired U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit. The presentation was made by German Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Peter Ammon in Washington, DC on Wednesday evening, May 8.

According to Amb. Ammon, the German Grand Cross is in recognition of Lugar's 'tireless efforts to foster and further deepen German-American relations' and Lugar's work on nuclear reduction and arms control.